|
Deer Lodge Superfund Cleanup Public MeetingOctober 4, 2011The Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee (CFRTAC) hosted a public meeting, Tuesday, October 4 from 7pm to 9pm at the Pen Convention Center in Deer Lodge. The evening focused on cleanups that are occurring in the Deer Lodge area. The Clark Fork River Superfund cleanup and Railroad Roundhouse cleanup were the subjects of discussion. Darryl Barton, CFRTAC Coordinator, began the presentations with an overview and history of the Clark Fork River cleanup. Brian Bartkowiak, Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), discussed activities that have taken place in regard to the Clark Fork River cleanup. Joyce Ackerman, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), presented cleanup at the Railroad Roundhouse in Deer Lodge. DEQ is the lead agency for cleanup of the Clark Fork River with oversight from EPA. Residential yards contaminated with historic mining waste were cleaned up last year and are being finished this year. The Trestle Area, otherwise known as Bum Bridge, is an area scheduled to be cleaned up this year. The Trestle Area is located in Deer Lodge where the railroad crosses the Clark Fork River. It is an area of high foot traffic that also sees much use particularly from children. The Trestle Area and Deer Lodge residential areas have been given priority for cleanup because of a possible risk to public health. DEQ is scheduled to begin cleanup of the Upper Clark Fork River in spring of 2012. They have contracted the services of Intermountain Construction Services (ICS) of Butte to do the work on the Trestle Area. The area just downstream of Warm Springs Ponds has been dubbed Phase 1 by DEQ. It will be the first area cleaned up according to DEQ schedule. Cleanup will then continue with properties downstream of Phase 1. EPA is the lead agency for the cleanup that took place of the Railroad Roundhouse in Deer Lodge. The area is contaminated with a railroad fuel called Bunker C. Ackerman discussed cleanup that occurred this year in removing Bunker C from the area. The action was to protect groundwater and the Clark Fork River from contamination from the fuel. |
May 24, 2013
